I moved to the front of the room, where a giant screen showed the projected higher-than-expected profits for the quarter.
“Next, let’s look at some facts. During the years when my three benefactors ran this fine organization in my stead, where they shunted me off to a boarding school in upper New York and managed the day-to-day operations—” I pointed to the years on the screen, “—market shares dwindled, and we lost much of the gains acquired during the time Papa revitalized the organization. Look at what happened when an inexperienced eighteen-year-old demanded to come aboard and take her place at the table.”
“Yes, you are brilliant. This does not answer the question we posed to you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Let me put it this way. I have not, will not, do not need you or any other man or organization to come to my rescue. I’ve handled things better than the three of you put together. Do you believe I would need Neil or his father’s aid? Married or not, I’ve got things covered.”
Having had enough of my daytime soap opera board meeting, I moved to the door.
“I believe this subject matter is closed. The next time anyone decides to interrogate me about my personal life, ask yourself, would you pose those questions to someone with a penis.”
Pushing down the throbbing headache brewing at my temples, I exited the boardroom and made my way to the elevators.
As soon as I entered the cab, I dropped my head against the steel wall.
It wasn’t even ten o’clock, and the day was a complete bust. Hopefully, something would come up to improve it.
Almost on cue, my smartwatch beeped with an incoming message.
Lifting my wrist, I read the display.
NOAH:Up for a house party where we play a little game of hide-and-seek?
Immediately, my mood perked up.
I slipped my encrypted phone out of my handbag and responded.
ME:As long as I get to wear a fun catsuit and lay mousetraps.
NOAH:I wouldn’t have it any other way.
ME:What kind of house should I expect to see? The Queen of Diamonds has very discerning tastes.
NOAH:This particular mouse lives in a very, very large, expensively gaudy and old house with lots of tight corners and spaces I’m positive the queen will enjoy.
Ashok Shah.
ME:Is the guest list curated? I don’t want you tricking me and having any other mice showing up. I’m not particularly fond of his circle of friends.
NOAH:Goodness, aren’t you a demanding diva? I promise you are safe from rodents.
ME:Then, count me in. Send me the detailed party invite.
NOAH:On its way. See you tonight.
The elevator opened, and I strode out of Maya Ratna Tower with a smile and a spring in my step.
A nice B&E job with high-tech gadgets would definitely make up for the clusterfuck of this morning.
I fucking loved walking the line between criminal and hero. Morally gray was my jam.
* * *
“Go in three, two, one.”Noah’s voice called through my earpiece, exactly five minutes past midnight. “You have ninety minutes to run the gambit of the passageways. We need you to make sure all of the old access points are still clear after the renovations Shah made as a gift to his new bride.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I know how to do my job. I trained your ass. Don’t make me send you back to your pig farm in Colorado for insubordination. I’m the one in charge of this operation,” I grumbled as I set my tracker to active, placed it at the opening of the hidden crawl space under the Shah Mansion, and then slid inside.